OSHA training is aimed at educating workers on how to identify, avoid, and prevent workplace hazards. Although OSHA training is normally undertaken by employees in the construction, general industry, and healthcare sectors, high school students have now been able to receive free OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training programs. This early exposure will contribute to the creation of awareness regarding occupational safety even before one joins the workforce.
Nevertheless, one should know the limitations. These are not certified courses, and no DOL (Department of Labor) card is awarded through the course. This blog will describe how students can start their training, what advantages it has, the drawbacks, the goal of this program, and why the certified version remains more valuable in the long-term perspective.
1. How High School Students Can Start Their Free OSHA Training
FreeOSHACourses.com is a site that offers free OSHA 10-hour and OSHA 30-hour training to high school students via the Internet, and consists of educational resources on safety and health in the workplace. Some of the important modules that are free include fall protection, electrical hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and fire safety.
Students are able to start the training without a credit card or payment. Just register and begin to learn. The courses are self-directed, and students find it easy to do the courses at their own time.
The training modules are specifically helpful to the students who are interested in construction, general industry, or technical subjects. Introduction to OSHA standards at an early age enables students to understand better what is expected of them at work and how to be safe at work. This fundamental understanding prepares the groundwork for a future career in trades, manufacturing, engineering, or even a healthcare profession that needs hazard awareness.
2. Benefits of OSHA Training for High School Students
Even though it is not a requirement, OSHA training has several benefits to high school students:
Foundational Knowledge
OSHA training provides students with the fundamentals of hazards and safety measures in the workplace. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 4,700 or more people were killed at work in 2023 in the United States. Safety practices can be taught at an early age to minimize incidents in the future.
Applications Competitive Advantage
Individuals who have undergone training on OSHA tend to be unique in college, internship, or trade school applications. It demonstrates initiative, responsibility, and safety awareness in the workplace, characteristics that most employers and schools value.
Knowledge of the Rights of Workers
OSHA training informs the students of their rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This consists of the right to work in a safe environment, the right to make complaints, and the right against retaliation.
Career Exploration
Students who have an interest in careers in construction, electrical work, engineering, manufacturing, or even healthcare can use OSHA training as an insight into safety measures within those areas.
Practical Learning
Fall protection, hazard communication, and ladder safety are some of the topics that apply both to part-time employment and apprenticeships and everyday life.
3. The Catch: No DOL Card or Certificate of Completion
Among the most significant pieces of information to be known by students and their parents, the fact that free OSHA courses do not lead to official certification should be mentioned. Although the training material is educational, it does not result in a Department of Labor (DOL) card. These documents will only be provided after you have completed paid OSHA courses. Consequently, the free courses are not applicable to fulfill the job requirements and the workplace mandates.
Moreover, when the students complete the free version, they are not given a certificate of completion. It is also worth mentioning that free websites such as FreeOSHACourses.com are not OSHA-approved training sites. Although they use OSHA standards as their foundation, the material is not tracked, reviewed, or certified by the U.S. Department of Labor. This training is purely educational and is used as a learning starter.
4. The Purpose of Free OSHA Training for Students
These free OSHA courses are not bad, even though they are not certified:
- Educational Exposure
The modules will be designed to teach students about safety in the workplace at a young age, way before they have the chance of working in high-risk work environments.
- Accessibility to Money
Students and families that might not afford to take official OSHA training can use the free versions as a low-cost alternative to create basic awareness.
- Certified Training preview
The free courses allow the students to determine their interest in occupational safety. They can proceed with certified training in case they find the content useful.
- Future Jobs Preparation
Students with summer jobs, internships, or volunteering in the construction or maintenance industries will have a basic knowledge of hazard prevention.
According to YouthRules!, a program of the U.S. Department of Labor, children under the age of 18 are frequently working in conditions where safety training can make a lot in avoiding injuries.
5. Ready to Get Certified? Sign Up for the Full Course
Students who are interested in receiving official credentials and satisfying the job site requirements should enroll in a paid OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 course.
Such courses can be taken via OSHA-approved online training providers such as CareerSafe, 360Training, and OSHA Education Center. Prices vary between 59 and 179 dollars depending on the course and the provider. When the course is successfully completed, the student is issued a DOL card and certificate, which is an official document that shows OSHA training.
6. What is the reason to get certified?
- Increase employment qualifications: OSHA 10 is now a qualification requirement of many entry-level jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries.
- Add value to your resume: A certified training is an indication of dedication and readiness.
- Satisfy the needs of employers and the law: In some states and companies, OSHA cards are required in specific positions.
Also, as per the National Safety Council (NSC), companies that have OSHA-trained employees have fewer accidents and better adherence to the federal safety regulations.
Conclusion
Free OSHA training for high school students is a good learning tool, particularly for those students who are considering careers in skilled trades or technical areas. Although these courses do not lead to certification or a DOL card, they still give a free introduction to workplace safety and enable students to make an informed decision regarding their future career. Nevertheless, in order to satisfy the job requirements and receive the official credentials, it is strongly advised to take a paid OSHA-authorized course after you have benefited from the free training.